"That arrogant man, how dare he glares at master? Please, Master, give the command and I will put him in place." Hans, who Adam has brought up and trained and is now acting as his personal guard, asked. The young man, who is just a few years older than Esteban, is eager to avenge his imagined slight against Adam.

"No need, Hans. It was nothing. Also, you are not his match. You must learn when to pick a fight and when to fold. It is the one who is left standing at the end who's the winner." The saying wasn't Adam's. It was originally said by his own master, and now, it's Adam's turn to pass down the words of wisdom to the new generation.

"I will keep it in mind, Master," Hans answered, but although he said those words, Adam knew that his senior disciple has already etched it on his heart to repay Joe Nathan of the Twin Axe, of Han's perceived insult to Adam when he's given a chance. Seriously, loyalty is good, but this boy took it too far most of the time to show his loyalty to Adam.

"By the way, what's your opinion on this incident?" Adam asked to change the subject before Hans becomes obsessed with avenging him.

"Whatever you choose, this disciple will follow you, Master. Even to the edge of the world and beyond." Adam doesn't even have to turn his head towards Hans to know that his disciple is bowing to him as he utters those words.

SIghing inwardly, Adam replied. "It pleases me to know that you will be by my side always, my disciple. But that is not what I'm asking about. I want to know your opinion on the murder nearby the market alley. Do you think the pup of the White Wolf is involved?"

"I'm sorry, Master. But I don't know enough about the situation to make an informed opinion. I apologize if I didn't meet your expectation." Although Adam couldn't see Hans, Adam could already imagine his first disciple dowing his head low in shame for the young man standing behind him.

"That's fine, disciple. You didn't disappoint me the least. In fact, knowing that you are not one to make yourself look knowledgeable on subjects that you don't know of gladdens my heart. That means that you put to heart my lessons." One of Adam Longley's favorite lessons was to never take an uninformed action. To leap off a bridge, not knowing if the water below is deep enough or if it's not hiding anything dangerous is just asking for disaster. A lesson so simple but could be applied to most things in life, that is why he repeated those words of wisdom to his disciples until they knew it by heart. "But as much as we want to learn more before leaping, sometimes we have to act with little to no knowledge of the situation. How you deal with matters beyond your expectation will determine your value as a man and as a leader of men."

"Thank you for the words of wisdom, Master. I will put your words to heart." Hans bowed even lower than before. Truly, Adam pity this young man. Few could consider themselves experts of the sword and fewer still could call themselves expert with one of the greatest sword styles, the Rose Field style, named after the family who created it, the Rosewoods, and even among the scions of that family, few could reach the level of mastery that his disciple has reached at such a young age, far beyond the skills of his younger disciple, only to hit a wall that divides the strong and the weak.

For, unlike the indecisive and inexperienced Esteban, Hans wasn't able to Awaken.

If only his Senior Disciple was able to Awaken, he would soar even higher than his junior disciple ever could, for, unlike Esteban, Hans was decisive, never to let any weakness of his opponent unexploited. If he's stronger, then he would overpower his opponent with force. If he's faster, then he would outmaneuver his opponent, using his footwork to secure victory. If he's more skilled, he will show his swordsmanship's superiority for all to see.

Nothing less than a complete victory would satisfy this disciple of his.

No hesitation. No mercy. Whenever he fights, he fights to win, even against Adam himself, if only to show that he's deserving to be called his disciple.

Too bad his progress of becoming one of the strongest was hampered by not being able to Awaken, and while Hans tries to hide his envy towards Esteban, who has Awakened, Adam noticed his resentment towards his junior disciple.

The heavens truly are unfair.

Adam coughed and spoke to his disciple with a warm, upbeat tone to brush away the gloomy thoughts from his head. "I know you would. Now, enough of the lessons. We have a business to attend to. We have dragged our feet long enough. We are but a few meters away from the barracks. It's not polite to keep our captain of the guards and his guest waiting now, wouldn't we? Come, my disciple." Adam then hit the floor with the end of the cane he is holding, making a thumping sound.

"Understood!" Hans answered before quickly moving ahead of Adam, acting as a vanguard, and both of them continued their journey towards the barracks.

♦♦♦

Dan was standing by the window overlooking the crowds that have gathered by the side of the road. He was not looking at them because he was curious, but because he was mulling about something, and looking at the peaceful town calms his mind. Why did I open myself to him? Dan thought to himself. I don't know what got into me to do that. But something about that man, made me feel at ease. Like he's a kindred spirit. Dan shook his head. To think that he felt a connection to someone who's suspected of being a cold-blooded murderer. But he doesn't look like a murderer. Try as Dan might, his gut keeps on telling him that the man was innocent,

And his gut was always right at the end.

While other men would've used this as a reason, a way to keep the peace quicker and easier, Dan was never one to rely on it, or base on his gut feeling while keeping the law, first and foremost, the procedures must be followed, protocols heeded to keep the law and order of his jurisdiction.

When enforcing the law, there should be no room for doubt. Because of that, everything must follow the proper procedures. It's not like the man was accused out of nowhere. The rumors of his 'sparring' match against the other troublemaking adventurers and how he brutalized them in front of half of the town have reached Dan's ear, painting him as a ruthless brute. More importantly, there is evidence against him found by Negan, the man who has inspired Dan to be who he is today, and while Dan is hearing some unsavory things about him circulating, it must be because Negan was too strict on enforcing the law. He was always a no-nonsense guy, a man whose heart was on his sleeve, who would get in trouble for doing what he deemed was needed to uphold his belief.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

That is why Dan couldn't fault him for losing his temper, but since such conduct would reflect badly on the town's guard, so Dan was forced to reprimand him.

While Negan was his oldest and closest friend, Dan must not be seen as weak. He is the captain of the guards and he must be seen as the one in control.

He doesn't like doing it to his friends, but this was a responsibility given to him, so he will do the best he could to fulfill what is expected of him.

While he was deep in thought, one of the guards spoke to him, breaking his train of thought. "Captain," The man started, "would it really be alright to leave that murderer unattended? What if he breaks out of prison? We should post some guards on his cell to make sure that he doesn't escape."

This guy's name is Mark, one of the men that joined their group to protect and uphold the peace and order of the town of Mukala when they are just a group of settlers trying to raise a village far out in the wilderness. They may be young, but they were tough, which was shown when they played a vital role in keeping the newly founded village safe from threats both from the outside and within. Aside from their ragtag group of war orphans who grew up in the slums of the Cental, he considers these men as his family. That's why Dan values their opinion. But as much as he values their opinion, he values their lives more. "It would be fine, Mark. The adventurer Artreus came with us of his own free will. Not causing any trouble along the way. He has shown us goodwill and cooperated with us through and through. Thus, I believe that even without us to watch over him he will behave accordingly. Not that it washes away all the suspicion over him, he's still the main suspect of the murder of citizens of our little town, but it should at least earn him some goodwill from us."

Although Mark seems to want to argue about the situation further, the young man held his tongue, not wanting to look like he's opposing Dan's decision.

Seeing this, Dan tried to alleviate his subordinate's worries, "It is not like we are going to let him do as he wishes. The cell he's in is reinforced by runes. Attacks and skills that require Mana wouldn't work while he's within the confines of that jail cell, and unless he has monstrous physical strength without using Reinforcement that could rival that of a Bihorn Rhino, he would never be able to escape captivity." That jail cell was where Dan's life savings paid for, all to administer justice to those who think their strength makes them above the law.

Ever since his younger days as an orphan at the streets of the Central, he had witnessed how people who have Awakened flaunted their power to those who are without. From the strongest of adventurers, famous duelists, officers, soldiers, guards, to the lowest ruffians, they all used their power to exploit those they deem are beneath them, and this injustice sickened Dan to his very core, especially so since his own parents were conscripted and died for the war to save the kingdom from the invading elves while these 'powerful beings' used their connection and power to avoid getting sent to the front lines.

Along with Negan and the other orphans who were able to escape from the battlefield that is slowly encroaching the heart of the Krishna Kingdom, Dan has witnessed the chaos that ensued as the people who never thought that they are exempt from danger and sneered at the men and women who fought and died so that those powerful men and women could live in relative safety, how those very people, who sneered at the victims of a war that they didn't want and made it a sport to exploit them, scamper like rats on a sinking boat as they seek for salvation. Riots other acts of violence erupted for weeks and no one was safe, especially the weak and helpless orphans like them. But just as Dan was about to lose his belief in humanity, they came.

Paladins of the Order of the Blazing Sun who worships and serves the Goddess of Justice, Aine, came and like their namesake, drove away violence and chaos like how the sun drives away the darkness of the night and restored order upon the city that was on the verge of collapse.

At first, Dan didn't think too highly of them. To him, they were just another group of 'powerful people' who are going to trample upon them who are weak, and Negan, who was their leader at that time, thought the same. They have no time to bother about them, not when they are struggling every day to survive. He doesn't have the time to care about people who don't care about filthy street orphans. They have to do what they must live by any means necessary.

But after that fateful day, Dan's worldview has changed.

As those thoughts float in Dan's mind, his sharp senses picked up the sound of footsteps approaching the door. With his eyes pasted at the entrance, he immediately saw Negan entering the building. "Captain! Mayor Longley is here." Negan reported.

Before Dan could reply, Mayor Adam Longley has already stepped inside the building. "Hello there, young ones. It seems you've been busy today."

With the Mayor greeting him first, Dan didn't miss the subtle killing intent emanating from the mayor's first disciple and personal guard, Hans. He's still the same. Dan thought, but before he earns further enmity from Mayor Longley's most loyal disciple, Dan quickly welcomed the mayor. "Mayor Longley! It is a pleasure to have you here. I would also have to apologize for having to ask you to come and visit our humble headquarters, I would never dream of interrupting you from your work in leading this town if not for a serious issue that arose which needs your wise judgment to oversee that justice is met." Dan slightly bowed his head towards the mayor.

His short welcome remark garnered a chuckle from Mayor Longley. "You still have your ways with words, eh? Good. You will need that once you finally decide to move up the ladder and move to Central."

He's still going on with that? Dan thought to himself before replying. "Mukala is my home. I have no greater wish than to protect it and the people who reside within it as long as I draw breath."

"While I am thankful for that sentiment, young ones like you should dream big. It's not like no one could fill the shoes you will left when you leave. All birds have to leave the nest one day if they wish to fly."

Although he was saying it to Dan, he thinks there was another meaning to what the mayor said.

Before Dan could further think about the mayor's words, Mayor Longley continued. "But I guess you didn't call me here for life lessons, so let us get to business, shall we? Where is he?"

For Mayor Longley to already know about the incident, Dan wasn't really surprised. The mayor always has his ways when it comes to intelligence gathering, it was one of the biggest reasons how the town of Mukala was able to rise from a small village to a bustling town in less than a decade, and while there is little known about the mayor's past, what's important is that he is a fair and wise leader.

"He is currently being held inside the reinforced cell."

"Hmmm... Good call. That cell of yours is made to hold those who have Awakened." The mayor then looked around, his eyes darting towards the other guards within the building before returning his attention towards Dan. "Seeing that you're all in one piece, he came with you willingly. Not to belittle you and your men's capabilities, but I've seen that adventurer fought before, he was quite strong then, able to match my youngest disciple in strength and skill, and from what I hear, he is even stronger now. Not to mention that you tried to apprehend him inside Douglas' establishment, which is either brave or stupid. Say what you will about that old man, but he hates it when people challenge his authority within his territory. If things didn't go the way they did, I doubt any of you would be left standing."

"The blame falls upon my shoulder. Our arrest today was my decision and mine alone." Dan apologized. Although it was Negan's original idea, he still agreed to act upon it since they want to catch their target off-guard while hoping that old Doughlas would think twice about acting against them since that will mean that the mayor would get involved if that happens.

"What's done is done. Just be careful next time. It would be hard to find someone of your caliber and dedication." The mayor then walked towards the head of the table where Hans pulled the chair for his master to sit upon. "Now, how about you take him over here so we could start?"

"Yes," Dan answered before signaling Mark to bring the prisoner before the mayor, before looking towards Negan, indicating to bring the witnesses over. Negan nodded to him and eagerly went out of the building and not even a few minutes have passed before he brought all three witnesses in.

Hmmm... Are they waiting to be called upon outside the guardhouse all this time? Dan thought. But before he could think about it further, Mark has arrived along with Artreus.

Before Dan could introduce the prisoner to the mayor, Mayor Adam spoke first. "How are you doing young man? Such a pity for our second meeting to be like this. I was hoping for it to be under better circumstances."

"Hello, Mayor. I too hoped for that. But I guess the gods have other plans."

"Hah! As if the gods would care about that." The mayor chuckled. While it is true that the mayor isn't the most pious man, it would be bad if the people from the Trinity hears him speak those words. "Anyways, while we wait for your friends to gather evidence in your defense, how about we start hearing about the crime you are accused of? If that is fine with you."

"Pardon our intrusion. But we have come here to defend the accused." Their attention quickly darted towards the direction where the voice originated from and entering through the entrance. There was the guild master of the adventurers guild, and with him was his assistant and the woman who was with Artreus earlier today, and beside her were two kids who Dan quickly recognized as the children of the late great mercenary who helped them establish the town.

As soon as the two great men met each other's eyes, the atmosphere of the room became tense, and while both of them are smiling at each other, Dan couldn't help but feel unease, like a storm was about to be unleashed.

Those at the apex couldn't stand when other people encroach on their territory, but Dan still dared to do it even if he had to borrow the mayor's strength.

For justice must be served, even some feet have to be stepped upon.